Just visited Yogyakarta for 5 days and came back 2 weeks ago... big thank you to everyone on this thread for all the info which helped to develop an itinerary... and especially to Littleprawn for providing his driver contact Would like to contribute my itinerary here.

Day 1: Arrived in early afternoon, checked into Ibis Styles Jln Dagen. Walked to the Tugu, then cabbed to Kotagede to visit the ruins, mosque and cemetery, and window shop for silver trinkets. Bought some snacks at Pasar Gede. Becak ride back to Jln Malioboro, walked around for awhile then back to hotel (Beringharjo market and the others were closed).

Day 2: Early morning, visited the Kraton, mosque, and Taman Sari. Spent more time at Taman Sari actually exploring the ruins and a funny `underground' mosque. Visited Fort Vredeburg. After lunch, went to Prambanan complex. Driver was a bit late so only had 1+ hours for Prambanan+Sewu. Drove over to Ratu Boko and just managed to squeeze it in before closing. Back to Prambanan for the Ramayana ballet then back to hotel.

Day 3: Headed east for the day towards Solo. Stopped by Plaosan since we missed it the previous day. Reached Solo late morning and visited Mangkunegaran Kraton and then Pasar Triwindu. Continued on to the foot of Lawu, where we had lunch and then visited Sukuh and Cetho. Drove back to Yogya as it was getting late, had to skip Tawangmangu waterfall.

Day 4: Checked out of Ibis Styles and headed northwest for Dieng. Stopped by Mendut and Pawon on the way. Continued on some pretty rubbish roads towards Wonosobo, stopped by tea plantations on the way. After lunch, drove up to Dieng and visited Telaga Warna, Sikidang, Gatotkaca, Bima, Arjuna, and the museum. Went to a special lookout point for a fantastic view of the plateau thanks to the driver. Stopped by the neighbourhood geothermal plant before heading back down to Wonosobo, then back to Manohara hotel at Borobudur for check-in.

Day 5: Sunrise and the rest of the morning at Borobudur. Checked out after lunch and flew back in the evening.

Overall quite an enjoyable trip But apparently, most prices have been jacked up since the start of the year, so come prepared with more rupiahs Was very lucky with the weather, only time there was somewhat heavy rain was while at Sukuh and Cetho, but this created a nice misty effect on the mountain. Looking back the only things we felt we missed were: more time at Prambanan; silver-making tour at Kotagede; the villages affected by Merapi eruption and maybe Tawangmangu.

Also missed the Kelud eruption by a week IMHO, this year the ground under Java appears to be acting up, so any trip this year appears to be more risky compared to previous 2-3 years. Even our driver said it was a bad idea to trek Merapi now (but not sure about Bromo though....).

This post has been edited by Harleqwyn: Feb 19 2014, 09:40 PM

Day 1: I think that if you are arriving at 11.20am, you will have a full afternoon/evening to visit someplace. Perhaps one of the following?
- Villages affected by Merapi eruption
- Kotagede, silver-making tour
- Pamper yourself with a Javanese massage

Day 2: On the way to Ceto and Sukuh, perhaps you can drop by Solo town or Tawangmangu waterfall.

Day 4: Don't forget the Kraton itself

Littleprawn,
If you do go again, where would you visit the next time?

I stayed at the Ibis Styles on Jalan Dagen and really liked it. The buffet breakfast was surprisingly fulfilling and delicious; the service was friendly and helpful; the rooms were clean and comfortable; the roof pool and bar was nice

I think the Borobudur sunrise tour takes one right up to the top of Borobudur at 430am, to view the sunrise FROM the temple. Even at the Manohara guest price, I felt it was a little expensive, but I still thought it was worth it. Even better than the sunrise I thought, were the grey mists blanketing the plains and villages around the temple Too bad though Merapi wasn't very clear that morning.

I agree with Dieng plateau.

If Jln Malioboro is the main shopping street, then it's 5-10 min walk from Jln Malioboro. Becaks and horse-carts are options for the weary

https://www.google.com.my/maps/@-7.7936569,110.3619344,17z

This post has been edited by Harleqwyn: Jun 18 2014, 08:44 PM

Hello KenYoung,

- Do make sure that the ballet is performed on the day you visit Prambanan, it is not held daily. Depending on when you get into Prambanan, you could also drop by Ratu Boko Palace which is a few kms from Prambanan. But try to spend at least 2 hours at Prambanan (I only had 1+ hours, big regret...)
- Feels like you could fit something else in the city on Day 4/ Day 5 morning... Vredeburg? Kotagede ruins or silver making? Batik shop?

I agree... did not enjoy gudeg at all...